Maintenance FAQ

When the Check Engine light comes on, your car’s computer system is telling you that it has detected a problem by recognizing a fault in one of its sensors. You should have the car checked at the earliest possible opportunity.

My car isn’t starting or performing like it used to and I’m getting bad fuel economy. What should I do?
It could be that your fuel system isn’t as clean as it should be. The Mr. Lube Fuel System Cleaning Service cleans and conditions your fuel injectors, intake valves, combustion chambers and exhaust emissions by removing harmful deposits and moisture. This can help reduce hesitation and sluggishness, as well as improve fuel economy.

How can I prevent my car from overheating in the summer?
Radiator coolant, or anti-freeze as it is commonly known, works to combat both heat and cold. This helps to ensure your engine doesn’t freeze or over-heat. Over time and with exposure to winter cold and summer heat, the protective components of this fluid are weakened and its effectiveness can be dramatically decreased. Check and service your car’s cooling system at the intervals recommended in your owner’s manual. The Mr. Lube Radiator Fluid Change Service will thoroughly flush your radiator and engine block, draining exhausted anti-freeze and replacing it with fresh, coolant that meets the specifications found in your owner’s manual.

How often should I have my air conditioner checked?
Your air conditioner will not operate as efficiently when air and moisture make their way into the system. An annual inspection of the air conditioning system will ensure peak performance and may help prevent costly repairs.

How often do I need to change or service my brakes?
Depending on driving habits, most cars need a brake service between every 40,000-50,000 km. However, this is merely a guide. Both parts and labor costs can rise dramatically if, for instance, the braking system needs an overhaul. It’s always good practice to consult your owner’s manual, but disc pads need to be checked regularly.

What is a differential and when should it be serviced?
When rounding corners, a vehicle’s outer wheels travel further than the inner ones. The differential gear set prevents skidding by letting the wheels rotate at different speeds. This results in safe, smooth turns. Our Fluid Change Service replaces old gear oil containing harmful metal fragments with new lubricant to reduce wear and prolong the life of the gears and bearings within the differential. Check your owner’s manual for the required service interval for your vehicle.

Is it true that it is a good idea to take my car on a long trip occasionally?
Driving short distances often makes an engine dirtier than driving long distances at high speeds. Engines create carbon from the combustion of air and gasoline. Some of this carbon is emitted through the exhaust but some of it also remains in the engine. This remaining carbon is cleaned and circulated in the engine oil. As the engine heats up more of this carbon is burned up and blown out through the exhaust. If you only drive short distances the engine may never get hot enough to exhaust the carbon so it will remain in the engine. This is why it’s a good idea to drive your vehicle on the highway for 20 minutes to help clean the engine

Why does my owner’s manual suggest regular transmission fluid changes?
It takes a complex set of pumps, valves, pistons and clutches to make your car shift gears so automatic transmission fluid is important to make sure everything runs smoothly. Not only is keeping your fluid in check good practice, manufacturers also know you’d rather replace fluid than the transmission. Our Automatic Transmission Service replaces 100% of the old fluid with clean new fluid to improve performance, prevent repair bills, and extend the life of your transmission. Check your owner’s manual for the required service interval for your vehicle.

When should I change my fuel filter?
The fuel filter is very important, especially on a car with fuel injection. A fuel filter removes the dirt from the fuel that can get into the fuel injection or carburetor and cause driving problems. Replacing the fuel filter once a year is preventive maintenance. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s specific requirements.